Palestinian militant group Hamas has released a video of an American-Israeli hostage, Edan Alexander, who is urging US President-elect Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for release of hostages.

The purported video, Titled ‘Soon… Time is running out’ was posted on Hamas’ Telegram channel by the Qassam Brigades.

In the video 20 year old kEdan, who was held hostage by the militant group during its attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, appealed to Trump to use his “influence and the full power of the United States to negotiate for our freedom”.

Though the authenticity of the footage has not been independently verified, Edan’s mother, Yael Alexander, has expressed her distress. She said that she was “shaken by the video”.

In a statement, she said, “My Edan, my love, we miss you so much. I want to tell you that following your request, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called me about an hour ago.

He gave me strength and assured me that now, after the deal in Lebanon, the conditions are ripe to release you and bring you home.”

Yael also mentioned that she had been in contact with Netanyahu’s office and conveyed to the prime minister the importance of keeping his promise to free the hostages. Netanyahu’s office later confirmed the conversation and labeled the video released by Hamas as “cruel psychological warfare” while reiterating Tel Aviv’s commitment to securing the release of all hostages.

In the video, Edan implored, “Please do not make the mistake Biden has been doing.”

He expressed his fear of suffering the same fate as fellow American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg Polin, who was killed by Hamas in captivity in August.

The White House strongly condemned the footage and called it “a cruel reminder of Hamas’s terror against citizens of multiple countries, including our own”.

“President Joe Biden and the US will continue to work round the clock to secure the release of our citizens, including through diplomatic efforts and by increasing pressure on Hamas terrorists through sanctions, law enforcement actions and other measures.”

On October 7, 2023, more than 240 individuals were taken hostage by Hamas and other attackers. Israel confirms that 97 hostages, initially abducted that day, remain in Gaza.

At present, according to Israeli authorities, more than 60 hostages are still alive, while the bodies of about 35 others, also taken on October 7, remain in Gaza.

In a significant development on November 28, 69 civilians were released by Hamas in exchange for 180 Palestinian prisoners, as part of a temporary ceasefire agreement between Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups.

Meanwhile, Israeli authorities have detained nearly 7,000 Palestinians, most held for alleged security offenses. Many of them have been imprisoned since the October 7 attacks. According to HaMoked, an Israeli human rights organisation, the majority of these detainees — over 2,000 — are being held in administrative detention. It means they have not been formally charged or tried in court. The detainees include women and children, many of whom have never been convicted of any crime.

More than 45,000 people have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war, including 43,391 Palestinians and 1,706 Israelis, as of November 5, 2024. Among them are 134–146 journalists, 120 academics and over 224 humanitarian workers, who also include 179 UNRWA employees.

On the other hand, the Israel Defense Forces have reported 807 military fatalities, including soldiers, officers and reservists. Of them, over 305 killed were on the Gaza border and at least 380 during ground operations in Gaza. The Israel Police has listed 58 officers killed, including those involved in confrontations on the Gaza border, hostage rescue operations and terror attacks in Israel and the West Bank.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched an assault on Israel and reportedly around 1,200 people. It militants infiltrated towns and attacked military positions and fired thousands of rockets.